Cement mixer



DEQ-Q, 279 1949 R. LE TOURNEAU @9492?299 CEMENT MIXER ZN VEN TOR.

E G L@ Tuzneau BY .Dea 27, 1949 R. G. LE TOURNEAU 2,492,299

' C E M E N T M I X ER Filed oct. 29, 1946 v 4 s eeee s-Sheet 2 K7 TTYS Dec- 27 1949 R. G. L TOURNEAU 2,492,299

CEMENT MIXER Filed Oct. 29; 1946 lvSheeifS--Shet 3 v\ L w m N m INVENTOR. E. G. .LeTourn eau HTTYS Dec. 27, 1949 Filed Oct; 29, 1946 R. G. LE TOU'RNEAU CEMENT MIXER 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. E G; .Le 7b u rn' ea u Patented Dec. 27, 1949 CEMENT MIXER Robert Gilmore Le TourneauJeoria, Ill., assignor to R. G. Le Tourneau, Inc. Stockton, Calif., a corporation of California Application October 29, 1946, Serial No. '706,470 s claims. (ci. 259-161) This invention relates generally to an improve cement mixer, and in particular is directed to a cement mixer of portable or transit-mix type; i. e. the implement is self -propelled, and is operative to mix the cement en route between the batching plant and the place of pouring.

One object of the invention is to provide a portable cement mixer whose novel design is advantageous to the end that the implement has a large capacity; a very effective mixing action; and is capable of discharging the mix, at a regulated delivery rate, adjacent the ground, or at an elevated point beyond that capable of presently used portable cement mixers. Concrete Vstructures of a story in height can be easily poured without the use of conventional elevators, wheelbarrow handling of the mix, etc.

Another object of the invention is to provide a portable cement mixer which includes a greatly elongated mixing and feeding cylinder projecting to the rear of the implement, and the cylinder being supported for adjustment to vary the inclination thereof whereby low or high discharge points are possible; such adjustment being effected by a power actuated swing frame in which the cylinder is mounted.

A further object of the invention is to impart the necessary rotation to the mixing andfeeding cylinder by means of a reversible power unit direct connected to one end of the cylinder and movable with the swing frame which is employed to alter the inclination of said cylinder as above; such power unit including an electric motor driving through a reduction gear box.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a power control mechanism wherein control of the mixing cylinder, during transport and discharging operations, is controlled by the operator from his station on the tractor.

A further object of the invention is to produce a vpractical device and one which will be exceedingly eiective for the purpose for which it is designed.

These objects are accomplished by means of such structure and relative arrangement of parts as will fully appear by a perusal of the following specification and claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the portable cement mixer with the cylinder lowered for transport or low point discharge.

j Figure 2 is a similar view but with the cylinder (partly broken away) elevated for high point discharge.

' Figure 3 is a plan view of the implement.

. Figure 4 is a rearv end View of the cylinder as mounted in the swing frame.

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional elevation of the .power unit and its connection with the forward end oi the cylinder.

Referring now more particularly to the charactersvof reference on the drawings, the portable cement mixer comprises a main frame I of general yoke type including side beams 2 and a front cross beam 3 having a central neck 4 adapted to attach to a coupling and power steering unit 5 on a tractor t at the rear. The frame I Ais sup- .ported at the rear by kwheels 1 whose mount is secured to the side beams 2.

Agreatly elongated mixing and feeding cylinder -8 is disposed lengthwise of the implement above the main frame I and projects rearwardly to a point some distance back of the frame; said cylinder tapering toward its rear end from an intermediate point as shown, and said rear end remains open.

A swing frame 9, of open construction, straddles the forward half of the cylinder 8 from above and the latter is rotatably mounted and driven in said swing frame as follows:

At its forward end the swing frame includes a mounting ring IIl disposed with its axis lengthwise of the implement and directly ahead of the front end of the cylinder, which is dished, as at I I. The ring Il) is concentric to the cylinder axis.

A reversible electric actuator I2` including a gear box I3 and a rearwardly projecting drive spindle I4 is mounted by a circular attachment plate I5 inthe ring I0. The actuator is hooded as at I6.

The spindle I4 passes through an end bearing I1 of the actuator, and then engages through a double ended hub I3 supported concentrically in the dished end II of the cylinder by a removable circular attachment ange I9. The outer end of spindle I4 has a neck 20 splineengaged in driving relation to hub I8 and consequently the cylinder 8. A locking collar or nut 2| prevents separation of the spindle I4 and hub I8.' Y

In the above manner the front end of cylinder 8 is supported and driven by the electric actuator; there being an intermediate support for the cylinder as follows:

AtY its rear end the swing frame 9 includes a cradle member 22 having spaced rollers 23 therein which are engaged by and support a bearing ring 24 on the cylinder intermediate its ends.

The cylinder is thus rotary mounted in the swing frame, and the latter is pivotally suspended adjacent its front end and at the top, as at 25, from an upstanding rigid post assembly 26 on the main frame i, whereby the swing frame can be swung about said pivotal axis to selectively dispose the cylinder in a lowered (Fig. 1) o1' elevated (Fig. 2) position.

The mechanism for so moving the swing frame S comprises: v

An electric winch 27 is mounted on the cross beam at one end thereof, and a cable 28 leads from the winch drum 29 at a downward and rearward incline along one side of the main yframe I. Alongside the corresponding side beam v2, the cable is reeved, as a block and tackle system30, between sheave blocks 3l and 32 secured tosaid side beam and a forwardly disposed low point on the swing frame 3 respectively. A

From the block and tackle cable system 30, the cable passes across the implement, being guided by direction changing sheaves 33, and on the opposite side isreeved between sheaveblocks 34 and 35 to formanother like block and tackle cable system coupled b etween the main frame and swing frame and Working in unison Vwith system 3B when the cable 28 isactuated. Upon operation of winch 2l toV shorten cable 28, including block and tackle cable systems 30 and 36, Ythe swing frame is swung upwardly about pivot 25 as the sheave blocks 32 .and V35 move rearwardly, thus elevating the cylinder 8 for high '1:'

point discharge as in Fig. 2. The winch 21 has an automatic holding brake operative to maintain the cylinder 8 in'a selected position of elevation.

The forward portion of the cylinder 8`is fitted I with a man-hole unit 31 including a removable cover as shown to permit of entry ofthe dry mix and water into such cylinder.

Within the same .the cy1inder`8 'is 'fitted with a pair of longitudinally extending helical mixing and feeding blades or vanes 38 Hwhich'are fixed to'and project'radially'invvardly'from the cylinder wall; corresponding convolutions ofsuc'n blades being 180 degrees apart, and such blades decreasing in width 'radially of vthebyliri'der to compensate for the Ytaper ofthe' latter.

The electric actuator l2'and winch21 are interposed Yin controlcircuits (notshown), switchregulated by the tractor operator from his's'tation; such circuits being 'eneig'iZed by'a generator on and driven by the tractor.

Operation When the implement in use, the cylinder 8 is initially in lowered position, and tlie"`dry mix and water are introduced into su'chcylinder, at the batching plant, through the'` manhole unit 31. Y

Thereafter, en route tothe pouriiigpoint, the reversible electric actuator l2 is run ata relatively low speed in a direction such that the helical blades 38 feed the mix toward the closed forward end of the cylinder, thus assuring proper mixing without spillage from the open rear end. On up-grades spillage is 4prevented by adjusting the cylinder to a proportionate incline. M

At the pouring point the cylinder k iselevated to the extent necessary to deliverdirectly into the forms, and then the cylinder is'rotated in a reverse direction and atgreater speed causing the mix to feed from the open rear end of said cylinder.

The power steering unit permits the operator to effectively maneuver the implement during a pouring operation.

"present and preferred construction of the device,

still in practice suchdeviations from such detail may be resorted to as do not form a departure from the spirit of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, the following Iis claimed as new and useful and upon which Letters Patent is desired:

l. A cement mixer comprising a mainframe supported for movement from place to place,'an elongated mixing and feeding cylinder disposed lengthwise of the main frame and projecting to the rear thereof, the cylinder being arranged to discharge from its rear end, means mounting 'the cylinder in connection with themainN frame for adjustment lbetween agenerally horizontal'positionand an upward and rearward incline whereby to elevate said discharge end, the cylinder being rotatable in its mount, and power means operative to rotate the cylinder in any position of 'adjustment thereof; said mounting means for the cylinder being a pivotally mounted swing frame including a depending frame portion,"a'block Yand tackle cable system connected between rsaid'fralne portion and a rearward point on themainV frame, and a power winch toactuate said cable system, shorteningof the latter causing swinging of the swing'fram'e in a direction to incline the cylinder. `2. vA cement'mixer comprising a main frame supported for movement from'place to place, an elongated mixing and feeding cyiinder disposed lengthwiseof the main frame and projecting to Vthe rear thereof, the cylinder being arranged to discharge from its re'ar end, a swing frame'in 'whichthecylinder 'is rotatably mounted, power means on the swing frame in driving relation to the "cylinder, means pivotally suspending the swing frame on the main frame for swinging in a longitudinal vertical planete adjust the cylinder between`a'generally horizontal position and an upward and rearward incline whereby tol-elev ate said discharge end, and power actuated means to adjust said swing frame; `said last named means being a block 'and tackle 'cable system connected between the mainframe and swing frame, anda p ower'winch operatively connected tn said Abioclrand tackle system,

l3.A c'er'neni', mixer cmprising'fa mainframe Supported for, lmfivemeetirbm pladetoii'a'ce, :an elongated mixing and feeding cylinder" disposed lengthwiseof the mainhiramewand projectingfto the rear thereof, thebylinderbeing' i .dslfaieeirbm its real" @1111. v which the' cylinder 'isrotatably means on the swing framelin'dri the cylinder, means pivotally swingnfame on the main frame forswing longitudinal verticalpl "adjusttlie cylin er between vaieenerla1-1v. b c 0' al' .iddst''cn'aridman upww'rdla'nd rearward Cline vvher'eby'fto el s'aid"'dis'charg"ej end, and' power actuated in adjust said swingk frame.; Saidy lastpnamed m Aans disposed on opposite sides of the main frame and connected between the latter and forward depending members included in the swing frame, and a power winch operative to cause simuln taneous actuation of said cable systems.

4. In a cement mixer, a rotary cylinder, an actuator unit beyond one end of the cylinder including a driven spindle projecting toward said end, a double ended hub mounted axially on said end of the cylinder, the spindle projecting in supported and guided relation through the hub and being splined to one end thereof, and a retaining member on the spindle bearing against the outside of said one end of the hub.

5. A cement mixer comprising a substantially horizontally disposed supporting main frame, an upstanding substantially vertical post assembly mounted on the main frame adjacent one end thereof, a cradle-like swing frame lying normally in a substantially horizontal position and having the upper corner of one end thereof pivoted to the upper end of the post assembly and the lower corner of said one end of the swing frame being disposed adjacent the sides of the main frame, a cable winch mounted on the main frame to the side of the post assembly opposite to that side on which the swing frame is disposed, a pull cable wrapped on the winch drum, a block and tackle unit which includes said cable connected between the sides of the main frame and the said lower corner of the swing frame and functioning through the operation of the winch to tilt the swing frame from its substantially horizontal position to an upwardly inclined position, and a mixing and feeding cylinder supported in said 6 swing frame and normally lying in a substantially horizontal position and 'tiltable upwardly with said swing frame.

6. A structure as in claim 5 including a mounting ring on the swing frame adjacent its pivoted end, a power driven spindle journaled in said ring, the adjacent end of the mixing cylinder being fixed to said spindle.

7. A structure as in claim 6 including a cradle member at the opposite end of the swing frame, the mixing cylinder resting intermediate its ends in said cradle.

8. A structure as in claim 5, including a mounting ring on the swing frame adjacent its pivoted end, a reversible electric motor supported in the mounting ring and having a projecting spindle, the mixing cylinder being fixed to said spindle.

ROBERT GILMORE LE TOURNEAU.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTSv Number Name Date 1,000,851 Smith Aug. 15, 1911 1,621,345 Anderson Mar. 15, 1927 1,780,940 Piipanen Nov. 11, 1930 1,861,416 Jaeger May 31, 1932 2,013,359 Paris Sept. 3, 1935 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 101,929 Sweden Aug. 5, 1904 327,250 Great Britain Apr. 3, 1930 

